UT football: Longhorns sign No. 2-rated class

AUSTIN — Before most of them have even enrolled in classes at Texas, the members of Mack Brown’s latest football recruiting class already have latched on to a newfound Longhorns sports tradition.

They’re No. 2 in the nation.

Just as UT’s baseball team finished second at the College World Series, the volleyball team finished second at the Final Four and the football team finished second in the final polls, the players who Wednesday signed letters of intent to play football at UT have been pegged by most national services as the second-best group in the country. According to Rivals, ESPNU and others, the Longhorns trail only Florida in incoming talent.

Brown said Wednesday afternoon that UT has received letters of intent from all 25 members of its heralded class, which includes six of the top 20 players on ESPNU’s national list and 15 of the top 150.

In an unusual development for UT, which usually has all of its commitments wrapped up months before signing day, the stars of this class came on board late. Four top recruits committed in January, including defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat and linebacker Jordan Hicks, who both announced their intentions to attend UT last Friday.

Jeffcoat, from Plano West, is the No. 2 prospect in the nation according to ESPNU and No. 12 according to Rivals. Hicks, from West Chester, Ohio, is ESPNU’s No. 4 player and Rivals’ No. 16.

Other top recruits in UT’s class include wide receivers Mike Davis of Dallas Skyline and Darius White of Fort Worth Dunbar, defensive tackle Taylor Bible of Denton Guyer and defensive end Reggie Wilson of Haltom City.